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May 28, 2017

May 28, 2017

The day will come when those with whom we had issues which kept us apart will share the same Heaven with us. We will not be able to avoid. Why not start practicing on earth as it is and will be in Heaven?

“For God so loved this world that He gave and sent His only Son to it with the promise that those who would believe in Him would not perish but have everlasting life. This Son, Jesus, came into the world not to condemn it but to bring salvation to it according to God’s purpose and desire!'”

REFLECTIONS ON HIS WORD:

Today, I am wrestling with an image inspired by a conversation I read between a father and his son who have a separation between them that seems impossible to resolve this side of heaven. I share my thoughts with you because someone who will read this may be going through a similar situation in his (or her) life.

Imagine telling God that you are just fine and attempts to stay in touch with you is “just silly stuff.” Do we dare believe that God really responds to our contention that there is no need to stay in touch with us? Can we afford to allow this contention become contentious? The problem, you see, is not with God. It is a human problem and a spiritual concern. The manifestation of such a problem and concern does indeed have mortal contemporary affect as well, I think, as it does a spiritual eternal effect. Do we dare believe that we can go to a different Heaven than the one God inhabits? Do we think that we are granted a place of separation in Heaven from those against whom we contend? Or from whom we hold contentious feelings and thoughts?

I am glad to worship a God, our Heavenly Father, who does not lose sight of us. I am glad to be in relationship with a God, my Heavenly Father, who continues to make His presence known to me for my sake even if I dared to entertain the thought that I don’t need Him as a constant in my life. Now, I know that Satan, the ultimate fallen angel, does entertain this thought and practices this reality. He has determined for himself that he neither needs God nor any reminders of God’s presence. Fortunately, for us, God does remind him of His presence. Even His Son, Jesus, went into the Devil’s lair and preached the opportunity of freedom from the spiritual bondage which Satan entangled them- or believed he had. And Satan needs God or else there would be no tension to use in influencing humanity to believe in him. Satan’s greatest weapon is to play off the reality that there is a God and that God doesn’t have power nor concern. If there was no God there would be no Satan. Oh, indeed, Satan needs the reality of God and God’s persistence of grace and the hope of both redemption and salvation. Oh, how we need that as well. If there was no God then we would not exist. And if we did exist, and there was no God, there would be little hope for a life of true meaning and purpose. We would have to settle for less.

Thank you, o Theophilus, for allowing me to weave through these thoughts. Why would I settle for less than redemption, reconciliation, salvation and grace? Why would I find it beneficial to keep my father, earthly and heavenly, at a distance and go so far as to push him or Him further away? Perhaps it would be, as it may for this son and father I am praying for, that to keep a distance allows one and the other from dealing with the real issues that separate them from each other. We all will have to deal with these issues at one time or another. How much better to do it now with the Spirit of grace and truth which leads to physical and spiritual healing than to stand before the Throne of God and the Judgment Seat of the Lamb and bear the consequences of defying the Spirit which has been at work all along to effect and affect our lives for peace, love and joy!

“Let us be the best we have ever been as 2017 mighty men.”

PRAYER CONCERNS: (Needs of God’s mighty men that will be answered out of faith, hope and love)

* For those leading God’s people in worship this weekend
* For those who are seeking to put an end to human trafficking that their success would be overwhelming so that the healing may be equally so
* For Louisville, Kentuckiana, Goodwill, NECC, our new small group and the people of Myanmar
* For the needs of my family near and far and our friends healing, reconciliation and wisdom- especially for Tom Jensen; for needs of my family; wisdom to know the truth and relate it adequately; for guidance in a difficult financial situation

PRAYER CELEBRATIONS (where we see Him at work in the world):

* We have a loving God who speaks to us in all seasons of life reminding us we should do the same to Him
* God continues to provide prosperity at 5226 as I trust Him in so doing and give thanks praying for sufficient and proficient employees and the wisdom to meld a team spirit by staying humble before God and co-workers
* God is preparing me for our next ministry with current conditions to learn to walk more humbly and in peace
* God is good all the time and all the time God is good- even when we cannot see it!

ABIDING IN PRAYER: Father, into Your hands we give ourselves in the name of Jesus by whom we pray, live and worship here on earth as it is in Heaven so that we may be more like Heaven on earth. AMEN.

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne of Heaven saying ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among His people and He will dwell with them. They will be His people and He will be their God for He Himself is with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain- for the old order of things will have [forever] passed away.’ And He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!'”

REFLECTIONS ON HIS WORD:

It has been five weeks since I have been able to focus long enough to share what God has put on my heart and in my head to offer to those who might take the time to read and let God lead. I muster my faith and strength to make it to work each day. It continues to be a trial out of which I am supposed to be learning something more about myself and my relation with others. I make it home most evenings so exhausted and hurting that it takes more energy to rest than it seemed to work. It certainly has challenged priorities and I freely admit that one of those has suffered and I from it- sharing the Word which God has given me each day. It is not that I do not read His Word. I begin each day there, then pray and worship on my way to work with the intention to be a blessing to God and a help to others. I have been blessed with a godly wife, family and friends who continue to pray and support me as I go through each day believing an answer to my situation will present itself. Some days are far more difficult than others.

So, I gather myself today with the Word of God which was shared with the Church first to the people of God under his direction. In the body he was bound as a prisoner on Patmos. In Spirit and in Truth he was free to be carried to Heaven to see the future and then returned to earth to scribe what was revealed so that they and we can embrace it. Some of the Revelation is difficult to understand because of the cryptic, theatric and contextual language. But, the Word which was given from the Throne of Heaven in today’s reading is not difficult and is most welcome. “Behold, I am making all things new.” What a day that will be. How many of us pray for newness to come on us in our here and now? Yep, most every hand is raised. But, that is not the reality for everyone, including myself. At least it isn’t yet. But, there will be a day coming what all things will be made new. It is that Day of the Lord which is eternal in the heavens. Those who declare that Jesus is Lord and accept, as well as profess, Him as Savior and Son of God will know that newness which will never been challenged, will never change and will remain a reality forever. God has promised it, Jesus has sealed the promise with His own blood and the Holy Spirit continues to remind us of it day after day- especially on those difficult days.

So, I accept the truth of God’s Word. Life in this world is not always going to be easy. That is a truth many can attest to. But, Jesus has made it possible for us to know that God is always with us, never apart from us and forever for us. And if God is with us and for us then nothing can separate us nor stand victorious over us as if God is defeated. God will never be defeated. He is the victor already over life in spirit and in truth. I am glad to share that God desires to make us new. He only asks that we renew our thoughts and actions daily to expose the promise of His love, mercy and grace to a world that has not yet accepted the newness which is theirs in Christ Jesus!

So, whether sick or well, poor or rich, weak or strength, weary or confident or on the paradigm of other realities in this world- God is still with us and giving us the opportunity to let it be known we are still with Him. We need no evidence to present other than the Word of God in our lives not bound by any situation other than the empty cross and the empty grave.

“Let us be the best we have ever been as 2017 mighty men.”

PRAYER CONCERNS: (Needs of God’s mighty men that will be answered out of faith, hope and love)

* For those leading God’s people in worship this weekend
* For those who are seeking to put an end to human trafficking that their success would be overwhelming so that the healing may be equally so
* For Louisville, Kentuckiana, Goodwill, NECC, our new small group and the people of Myanmar
* For the needs of my family near and far and our friends healing, reconciliation and wisdom- especially for Tom Jensen; for needs of my family; wisdom to know the truth and relate it adequately; for guidance in a difficult financial situation

PRAYER CELEBRATIONS (where we see Him at work in the world):

* We have a loving God who speaks to us in all seasons of life reminding us we should do the same to Him
* God continues to provide prosperity at 5226 as I trust Him in so doing and give thanks praying for sufficient and proficient employees and the wisdom to meld a team spirit by staying humble before God and co-workers
* God is preparing me for our next ministry with current conditions to learn to walk more humbly and in peace
* God is good all the time and all the time God is good- even when we cannot see it!

ABIDING IN PRAYER: Father, into Your hands we give ourselves in the name of Jesus by whom we pray, live and worship here on earth as it is in Heaven. AMEN.